Leominster-Fitchburg rivalry is unlike any other

Family, football and the feast. That's what Thanksgiving Day is all about.

And in North Central Mass., there's one heated and historic rivalry that's front and center each and every year during Thanksgiving: Leominster vs. Fitchburg.

This rivalry -- special in the hearts and souls of anyone associated with Fitchburg and Leominster -- is still going strong even after 129 meetings overall and 106 on Thanksgiving between the two storied programs.

Just like a bottle of wine that gets better with age, so does this rivalry.

Simply known as "The Game," the meeting between the Blue Devils and Red Raiders is talked about for 365 days a year.

Now, finally, the 2012 installment of "The Game" is here and both cities are fired up to watch these two rivals duke it out on the gridiron.

Leominster (6-4) may be the clear-cut favorite, but throw the records out on Turkey Day because they don't mean a darn thing. Should Fitchburg roll over just because its 1-9? No way, that'll never happen. The underdog can win this game. It's been proven time and time again in the series.

Really, anything and everything happens when Leominster and Fitchburg line up against one another on Thanksgiving. It's a game no one can accurately predict anyway. Thank the Football Gods for that.

This game is bigger than the Super Bowl for both teams.

From an outsiders' perspective -- I'm a Narragansett Regional Warrior through and through -- I find it extremely odd that Leominster and Fitchburg feel that winning on Thanksgiving is more important and meaningful than celebrating a Super Bowl championship, but that's how important this game is to both programs.

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This is a game in itself.

And it's just one of the many reasons why this is the best show around. Some make the case to say the entire state and country, too.

How I sum up this rivalry is as simple as possible. Just look at the street signs. In Fitchburg the signs are red while they're blue in Leominster. Enough said.

The rivalry is a lot more than just football, however.

This Fitchburg-Leominster annual classic brings family, friends -- young and old -- and the two communities together for one very important day filled with a tremendous amount of pride and passion for local high school football.

Both cities are extremely passionate about where they're from and which team they root for, but before the game it's all about reuniting with long-lost friends, making some new ones and reminiscing about the old days at school and on the gridiron.

No other regular-season game from early September to now can do that.

Oh, and then there's the bragging rights.

The seniors playing in their final game don't want to be the class that loses to their rival because these are moments that will be etched in their minds for the rest of their lives.

The fans don't want to eat that cold turkey and gravy, either, because they know it's a long year to lick their wounds when they fall on the wrong end of the rivalry.

When you win, well, that's when the turkey tastes better, everyone praises you and you have an entire year to bask in the glory. There's nothing quite like being a winner and having that winning feeling.

Winning this game is a gift that keeps giving all year long.

Thanksgiving Day football is special, always has been and always will be, especially in this area.

This rivalry is passed down from generation to generation.

Most of these current players were born into the rivalry and it's been pumping through their veins well before they could even pass, kick or run with the pigskin.

Football is tradition in both cities.

Even now, young Pop Warner and American Youth Football players are hoping, praying and dreaming to one day play at Doyle Field or at Crocker Field in the annual Thanksgiving Day showdown.

And before you know it, their time will come to be a part of this historic rivalry.

But the passion is already there and so is the disdain for the opponents' jersey. Doesn't matter how old or young someone is now, they're either a Red Raider or Blue Devil fan. There's no one neutral, you either wear all red or all blue. Those colors will be painted on some of those wild and crazy fans at the game, too.

Just to see the seas of red and blue on each side of the field, it's simply a beautiful sight. It's a visual I look forward to every single year.

It's without a question even better than a picturesque sunset.

For a football fan in the Fitchburg-Leominster area, there's nothing prettier than Thanksgiving morning at the field.

The passion is elevated as soon as you walk through the gates. The fans, bands and cheerleaders also add to the total experience of Thanksgiving.

You feel the loud cheers. You feel the waves of emotion the fans ride during the course of the game.

It's an electric atmosphere, and one that's difficult to truly appreciate unless you've experienced it for yourself.

This is what high school football is all about and why Thanksgiving is so special to Leominster and Fitchburg.

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